Mark Solis
Visual Designer II, ProdegeWorking under Vanessa at Prodege was one of the most impactful and rewarding experiences of my professional journey. As a manager, Vanessa was not only a driving force behind the success of our creative team, but also someone who brought a rare blend of organization, empathy, and strategic insight to every aspect of her role.
Vanessa excelled at managing an exceptionally high volume of fast turnaround projects without ever letting the quality or clarity of communication slip. Her ability to break down complex workflows, allocate resources efficiently, and troubleshoot issues before they became roadblocks made a huge difference in our team’s ability to perform under pressure. She had an innate understanding of each designer’s strengths and preferences, which meant projects were assigned in a way that not only played to our skills but also encouraged growth.
What I appreciated most was Vanessa’s consistent effort to understand us not just as creatives, but as individuals. She took the time to build relationships, listen actively, and create an environment where we felt seen and valued. That level of care translated directly into team morale and productivity, especially during particularly intense campaign cycles.
Her communication with internal clients was something I deeply admired. She was always composed, prepared, and proactive in meetings. She was able to balance the needs of the business while still advocating for the creative process. I often found myself learning just by observing how she navigated these conversations.
Personally, I can say that my design skills and overall confidence in a fast paced, collaborative environment grew tremendously while working under her guidance. Vanessa consistently challenged me to push my creative thinking, meet tight deadlines with focus, and hold myself to a higher standard, all while making sure I had the support and feedback I needed to succeed.
Vanessa is an exceptional leader, mentor, and creative. Any team would be lucky to have her, and I genuinely hope I get the opportunity to work with her again in the future.
Guadalupe Hernandez
Sr. Visual Designer, ProdegeVanessa is an outstanding manager and mentor with expert knowledge in all things design. I have enjoyed working with her for the past 4 years and without hesitation, can attribute my growth to her coaching. She is a leader with strong communication, organizational, problem solving, time management, and strategic thinking skills. Vanessa has fostered a positive work environment and has developed our team to collaboratively meet goals. It would be impossible for us to put out the volume of work we do on a daily basis without the foundation she has laid out for us. Vanessa would be a valuable addition to any team.
Sammy Buresh
Visual Designer, ProdegeI don’t even know where to begin when it comes to recommending Vanessa. Working under her leadership on the B2C Design Team at Prodege was one of a kind, and Vanessa has been the most influential figure in my design career to date.
She is, without a doubt, one of the most talented and well-versed designers I’ve ever met. Her production skills are seamless, her design instincts are spot-on, and her ability to guide projects with precision and grace is remarkable. But what makes Vanessa truly exceptional isn’t just her design expertise—it’s her leadership, her mentorship, and her unwavering belief in the people around her.
Vanessa took a chance on me as a new graduate, and from day one, she created a space for me to learn, grow, and thrive. Under her guidance, I learned not just how to be a better designer, but how to think like a designer; how to approach client needs, manage timelines, communicate effectively, and understand the business of design as a whole. She taught me how to advocate for myself and my work, while also teaching by example how to advocate for others with grace, strength, and unshakable integrity.
Vanessa is the kind of leader who never puts her title above the work. She dives in wherever she’s needed—whether that means picking up extra tasks, staying late to support the team, or mentoring each of us through our unique challenges. Her ability to juggle countless responsibilities while still showing up with humor, warmth, and energy is something I deeply admire. She’s the embodiment of the phrase, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” and Vanessa is the definition of will.
Watching her manage projects, clients, execs, and our entire team, all while being our teacher, our advocate, and our safety net, was nothing short of inspiring. She somehow manages to know each person’s strengths, styles, and goals, and she tailors her guidance to help every individual shine. Her mentorship is thoughtful, personal, and powerful, and it made me feel seen, supported, and deeply valued every single day.
Not only am I a better designer, but a better person because of Vanessa. Her guidance shaped my skills, her encouragement built my confidence, and her friendship uplifted me in ways I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career. To say I’m honored to have been her employee would be an understatement. I am forever grateful.
Vanessa brings light, laughter, and leadership into any space she enters. She makes people feel like they matter, and she empowers those around her to rise to their full potential. She stood behind us, advocated for us, and fought for us. Because of her, work didn’t just feel like a job, it felt like a place to grow.
Whoever gets to work with Vanessa next isn’t just lucky, they’re gaining an irreplaceable force. Whether it’s in design, leadership, or simply as a human being, Vanessa elevates everything she touches. I cannot wait to see what she does next, because whatever it is, it’ll be nothing short of extraordinary.
Elizabeth McClain
Creative Lead, ProdegeI had the pleasure of working with Vanessa for nearly 5 years on the B2C design team at Prodege, LLC and can attest to her excellence as a leader, creative visionary, and strategic asset. Her expertise in creative project development, production management, and leading creative teams makes her a high-performing asset ready to hit the ground running – and her pursuit of excellence, combined with her “all-in” mindset make her an ideal business partner.
Vanessa’s extensive knowledge of and passion for creative marketing –especially regarding design, advertising strategy, and user engagement– is one of her most notable qualities. Her ideas and insights are innovative, intuitive, and adaptable, and she researches, strategizes, and educates others as needed to ensure business moves forward effectively and projects succeed. This aptitude and mindset makes her an effective team member and positive influence on her peers.
At Prodege, the streamlined production & communication process Vanessa put in place ensured that thousands of design tickets and creative projects could be executed consistently and efficiently no matter which designers were available. She tactically structured every stage of the design & creative process; from the specific formatting of JIRA ticket requests & Photoshop design files, to productive Zoom collaborations & Slack communications – and continually improved efficiencies, addressed roadblocks, and supported her colleagues’ needs.
Beyond simply fulfilling the company’s high-volume production needs and ensuring satisfactory customer service and design quality for internal and external clients, Vanessa also continually sought to push the bar of the design team’s capabilities to further add value to the business. She had a talent for identifying and fostering the potential of the individuals she managed, enabling opportunities for their professional and creative growth to further enhance the expertise and value of her team, and subsequently drive innovation forward in the company’s products.
Vanessa’s leadership, creative expertise, and effective management style are just a few of her exemplary qualities I witnessed in my time working with her. I highly recommend Vanessa as a well-rounded creative leader and collaborator for any team or client, and am confident that she would exceed expectations in any role or project she pursues.
Dave Moon
Chief Instigator at IntersectLAI am thrilled to recommend Vanessa as a creative director who exemplifies both exceptional skills and effective leadership. With over two decades in the industry, she has successfully expanded her expertise across graphic design, illustration, and technology sectors.
Vanessa is not only a highly respected designer but also a leader who genuinely cares about her team and the individuals within it. Her ability to mentor others is remarkable; she helps people realize their full potential and fosters a culture of growth and collaboration.
Any organization looking to build a solid culture where individuals and teams can thrive to achieve business goals and visions would be fortunate to have Vanessa on board. I cannot recommend anyone better suited for a high-level designer role. It is my absolute pleasure to endorse Vanessa for any opportunity she pursues.
Erica Varga
Manager, Ad Operations, ProdegeI’ve had the privilege of working with Vanessa, and I can confidently say she is one of the most exceptional professionals I’ve ever worked alongside. Vanessa brings a unique combination of outstanding collaboration skills, clear and effective communication, and a proactive approach to everything she does.
She has an incredible ability to work seamlessly across teams, fostering an environment of trust, respect, and teamwork. Vanessa consistently goes above and beyond, ensuring goals are not just met but exceeded. Whether it's simplifying complex workflows, providing guidance on process improvements, or organizing impactful training sessions, Vanessa’s contributions always drive results.
What truly sets Vanessa apart is her reliability and dedication. She’s the person you can count on to get things done, no matter how challenging the task. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence are unmatched, and her ability to consistently deliver high-quality results has made a lasting impact on our team.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Vanessa is a natural leader who inspires everyone around her. Her positive energy, ability to build camaraderie, and focus on fostering a supportive team culture make her an incredible asset to any organization.
Vanessa would be a tremendous addition to any team, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for any opportunity. Her work ethic, leadership, and ability to make a meaningful impact are truly unparalleled.
Patrick Breen
Sr. Manager, Shop Operations, ProdegeI’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Vanessa since December 2018, and in that time, I’ve been continually impressed by her leadership, strategic thinking, and dedication to delivering exceptional design solutions. As the Sr. Visual Design Manager, she has played a crucial role in streamlining our various sites’ web placements and email creatives, all while collaborating with the Dev team to ensure universal placements remain personalized for the best member experience.
Vanessa is a strong and balanced leader, expertly managing expectations from multiple directions. She juggles internal demands while ensuring that our clients are happy with the final product. Her ability to navigate this complexity with grace and professionalism is truly remarkable.
What sets Vanessa apart is the way she puts her all into every project, pushing for the best possible outcomes while ensuring her team is supported and not overworked. She proactively collaborates with Ops teams to refine processes, making workflows more efficient for everyone involved. Additionally, her communication skills are top-notch... she is clear, direct, and proactive, setting well-defined boundaries and expectations so that projects run smoothly.
Vanessa is a leader you can trust to deliver high-quality results while fostering a positive and sustainable team culture. I highly recommend her for any role that requires strong design skills, strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and strong leadership.
Amir Assadi
Digital Production Designer at NetflixDuring my time at Prodege, I witnessed Vanessa’s commitment to creativity and professionalism.
As a mentor, she helped me improve my designs by offering guidance and constructive feedback. Her designs are balanced, creating harmony with typography and graphic art. She considers the project’s needs and creates stunning visual designs.
I highly recommend Vanessa. She’s a pleasure to work with and would be a great asset to any team.
Michelle Oviedo
Design manager at Prodege LLCI managed the UX and marketing design team at Prodege LLC from 2015-1018 and hired Vanessa as a lead designer. She is by far one of the most talented visual designers I’ve known and balances those skills with UX thinking and marketing strategy. Any team would be lucky to have her.
Amedea Tassinari
Senior Creative Director at Angel City Football ClubVanessa is hands down one of the best coworkers and mentors that I've encountered in my career. When I first started at Prodege, LLC, she took the initiative to onboard me and was readily available to answer any of my questions. She went above and beyond in mentoring me and ensuring that I was set up for success. Vanessa is a thought leader on our team - we all turn to her for brainstorming and guidance regularly.
She's got some serious design chops too! Her years of experience shine through in her creative work, and her passion for design really shows. I learned so much from working with her.
Lastly, she's just fun to be around. I was delighted to see her when I walked into the office on Monday mornings, and that's a quality that can't be overlooked!
Priscilla Anderson
HR VP at She Executives LLCVanessa contributed to marketing. I enjoyed working with Vanessa. She was eager to learn new areas of marketing and did an excellent job of expanding our marketing efforts. A team player, Vanessa, worked well with her colleagues in marketing. As a specialist with her time divided across many responsibilities, she balanced competing needs with humor and professionalism. Vanessa contributed to marketing communications by developing product messages and marketing materials to attract customers.
I recommend Vanessa for any position that will draw upon her skills and her proven record of contribution to marketing. She was a remarkable colleague and contributor.
Call me if you need additional information. I'd be happy to tell you more about Vanessa's achievements.
Andrew Sorensen
Sr. Product Manager at Self EmployedVanessa is a skilled UX designer. I like working with her because she is practical, fast, and has a deep understanding of how designs influence ecommerce users. Her designs are clean and user-focused. She does the work well, few revisions needed, and is super-easy to work with.
I worked closely with Vanessa, designing and launching products at Prodege, and have also employed her services on personal side projects.
If you are looking for a designer that will produce shippable and well-targeted assets with a minimum of hassle, I highly recommend Vanessa Adams. She know the user, has the skills, and is a joy to work with.
Devin Stein
Senior Customer Success Manager, TCC GlobalI have worked with Vanessa on many projects, she always gets work done ahead of schedule and goes above and beyond on everything she does.
Vanessa is an excellent mentor to junior members on the team, I have personally seen high levels of growth from designers she has mentored. I always appreciate Vanessa’s ability to work independently while being an excellent collaborator when the project calls for it. Vanessa brings a professional spirit to work and her experience brings depth and quality to everything she touches.
Nicole Eyo
UI/UX Designer | Front-End Developer | IT SpecialistVanessa strives to produce the best quality of any project. Paying attention to every detail on all levels. She’s an amazing leader and easy to take direction from. She would be a big asset to any team. She continues to raise the bar of production and design.
Tony Stewart
Creative Director | Designer | Animator | Problem SolverVanessa and I worked together as designers on the same design team. We worked on multiple projects together over 6+ years and I never had any issues with her. Vanessa is an extremely talented designer and problem solver who always gets the job done and at the highest level of quality possible.
Edith Castillo
Personnel Director, General MotorsVanessa is a joy to work with. She’s professional, timely and has great attention to detail. I highly recommend her. She delivers quality work and is a great listener.
Angelica Amos
Senior Director of Partnership & Sales, Black Love INC.Vanessa, is very hardworking, and thorough, any team would be lucky to have her.
Chris Kimura
Sr. Corporate Chef, Lee Kum KeeVanessa and I have worked closely together for the better part of 1 year with Munchery.
It’s rare to find someone who brings such talent and warmth to the workplace. Working with a complex proprietary production system, Vanessa has proved herself to be a quick learner, detail-oriented and dependable.
Her expertise was a great asset in helping our team build out and organize our production system. She took it upon herself to categorize and clarify countless amounts of data that was incorrectly input at a previous time. This greatly streamlined the communications through all departments and led to an increase in production efficiency.
Along with undeniable talent, Vanessa has shown she works well with others. She interacts with several departments on a regular basis, and is able to clearly share her thoughts. She always comes in with a smile and positive attitude, which has reflected itself on our work environment. She has a way of talking with people in a positive manner that brings out the best of her fellow employees.
She has a great work ethic and is someone I can lean on to get the job done.
Without a doubt, Vanessa would be a great addition to any team.